John V. Murk

John Vincent Murk, age 74, of Munising, died unexpectedly following a brief illness early Saturday morning, May 31, 2025 at Munising Memorial Hospital. John was born on August 21, 1950 in Munising to the late Edward and Lillian (Vinskoski) Murk. He grew up in Munising, graduated from Sacred Heart School, and then Wm. G. Mather High School in 1968. John entered into the U.S. Navy on October 28, 1969. He served as a Navy Hospital Corpsman at the Naval Hospital in New York City and served with the U.S. Marines at Camp LeJeune, North Carolina. John was honorably discharged on October 26, 1973. He married Carole Anne Johnson on November 12, 1972 and together they raised their two sons. He worked for Kimberly Clark and then attended Northern Michigan University for two years in the nursing program. John returned to the mill and retired on May 31, 2009. He was a volunteer for the Munising Township Fire Department from 1979 until 2022. John was a lifetime member of the Vietnam Vets of America Chapter 237 of Alger County and proudly served on the Alger County Honor Guard for many years. He played fast pitch softball and coached both of his boys in Little League. John continued to coach and umpire for many years after his boys aged out of the sport. He loved being a grandfather and was active and involved in all of the grandchildren’s activities and daily lives. John loved hunting and fishing and would never give up his secret spots. The Murk family was a sports loving family. Detroit Tigers, Green Bay Packers, University of Michigan, St. Norbert’s, and Munising Mustangs were always a priority. John and his son Travis (along with other “old guys”) won the Negaunee Invitational Tournament one year. Travis was younger and recalled the celebration like they won the Superbowl. Family was always a priority and passing on the history through the generations was important to John. As a young child, John and his family spent Saturdays or Sundays on the road and always ended up in Grand Marais. He had a a lot of pride with the completion of the family camp on “Murk Lane.” From the foundation up, the family worked together to have this for generations to come. John was a giving man who gave of himself all the time.

John is survived by his wife of over fifty-two years – Carole Murk of Munising; sons and daughters-in-law – Travis John (Sarah) Murk and Derek Joseph (Brook) Murk all of Munising; grandchildren – Kelsey Ann (Kris) Maxon, Dayne Alexander (Hayley) Murk, Riley Vincent Murk, Duray Alexandra Murk, and Avery Clarence Murk; great-grandchildren – Mya Jean and Sadie Lou Maxon; siblings – Gregory Michael Murk, Kathleen Ann (Nate) Brockman, and Lisa Marie (Kevin) Way; in-laws – Joe Johnson and Linda Johnson; nephews and nieces – Gregg (who spent a lot of his time with his uncle and cousins), Justin, Julie, Kevin, Ryan, Shawn, Nicole, Sara Beth, Brian, Stacey, Mallory, Kyle, and Trent; numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews (but John was always an uncle who was great no matter what generation); forever friends / brothers – Mike Colburn, Larry Radloff, Chuck Norlin, Larry Johnson, Paddy Malone, and Tim Hall; cats – Grady and Granger; and Travis and Derek’s “sister” – Sophie the dog.

John was preceded in death by his parents Ed and Lillian Murk and sisters Bonita Jean Thill and Linda Lee Carlson, niece Gina Lutey, and great-nephew Russ Holloway.

Graveside services will take place at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Munising on Thursday, June 5, 2025 at 12:00 noon. The Alger County Veterans Honor Guard will render military honors and Pastor James Petersen will conduct committal prayers.